$11 million bond to be voted on next spring

Sunnyside School Board officials gave Superintendent Rick Cole the go-ahead to move forward with a spring bond initiative for $11.4 million.

"This is a replacement bond, there will be no tax increase," explained Cole. The current bond is set to expire, and a spring bond would replace it.

Cole said that should the bond pass, the school district would be able to access $35 million in state funding.

Cole has indicated in the past that with the state's budget in the shape that it's in, there's a possibility matching funds from the state won't be available in the future, hence the need for a spring bond.

"This is a great way to concrete that $35 million now," said School Board Director Rocky Simmons.

Should the bond be approved by voters, the first undertaking will be to modernize and refurbish the high school and add roughly 40,000 square feet.

The next project would be to add a multi-purpose room and kitchen to Sun Valley Elementary School.

The third project would be to add a multi-purpose room to Pioneer Elementary School.

Washington Elementary School is in need of being refurbished, but spring bond funds will not be used to do so.

School Board Director Miguel Puente said, "It falls in line with what we're trying to do."

Cole said, "One question might be 'Is there a down side to this?' There isn't…It's the right time, it's not a tax increase to our community and it's time to modify our high school."